OIn 2022, Tirana hosted the UEFA final between Feyenoord and AS Roma. Last week, it welcomed the Giro d’Italia. This Friday, it will host nearly all European leaders. As a result, Tirana continues to be a major event hub in Europe, and Edi Rama is at the center of it all.

Rama’s Continued Leadership and Electoral Victory

Edi Rama made all of this possible. This week, he won the election again. It was his fourth consecutive win. Therefore, he will remain the prime minister, ensuring that his leadership continues to shape Albania’s future.

A Diverse Background: From Athlete to Artist

Why do people keep voting for him? His past may provide an answer. Rama played professional basketball and was on Albania’s national team. He stands at 2.01 meters tall, which helped him on the court. He says he chose sports to travel. Under Enver Hoxha’s regime, only athletes could leave the country. Others were not allowed to leave. As a result, sports offered him a rare opportunity for freedom, both physically and mentally.

Rama is more than just a politician. He’s also an artist. He studied art at the Academy of Arts and later became a professor. In 2016, his artwork was showcased in New York, adding to his international profile. He designed the colorful carpet in his office and filled his workspace with significant symbols. There’s a bust of Abraham Lincoln, along with a book of Donald Trump’s tweets. This combination of symbols shows his unique blend of politics and art. He once said, “If art can’t help politics, maybe politics can improve art,” reflecting his belief in the intersection of the two worlds.

Entering Politics: From Minister of Culture to Prime Minister

How did Rama enter politics? In the 1990s, he moved to Paris and sold paintings to support himself. However, in 1998, he returned to Albania for his father’s funeral. There, the prime minister offered him a position, and he became the Minister of Culture. “We have no money for culture,” the PM told him. “But an artist as a minister is a good start.” Rama agreed to take the role, and later he admitted, “Politics is like a drug. It hooks you.” As a result, he became deeply involved in the political scene.

Two years later, he ran for mayor of Tirana. He won and served for 11 years, during which he transformed the city’s appearance. He painted buildings in vibrant colors, planted thousands of trees, and opened the city to tourism. Luxury hotels and towers followed. As a result, Tirana became more modern and welcoming.

Transforming Tirana: A Vision for Change

In 2013, Rama became prime minister. Many Albanians see him as a reformer who speaks with charisma and has put Albania on the map. Tourists, businesses, and world leaders are coming to Albania, which indicates that Rama’s leadership has helped increase the country’s global presence.

Reforming Albania: Challenges and Achievements

Rama brought Albania into NATO and aims to bring it into the EU. He has built strong relations with Italy, and their joint migrant deal received praise from the EU. As a result, Albania’s international standing has greatly improved. However, corruption and drug trafficking still remain significant problems. Despite judicial reforms that saw some high-ranking officials jailed, critics argue that drug money has funded the construction of many towers in Tirana. Therefore, concerns about corruption remain.

Albania’s Global Presence: NATO, the EU, and International Relations

“He’s witty, polite, and has a strong personality,” said an EU diplomat. “Leaders enjoy working with him.” Therefore, Rama’s personal qualities have strengthened Albania’s image abroad. His ability to maintain good relations with the EU and international leaders has placed Albania on the global map.

Emigration and the Struggles of Young Albanians

Despite this progress, Albania still faces challenges. Many young people are leaving the country, with some estimates suggesting that one in two young Albanians seek a better life abroad. As a result, emigration remains a major issue, threatening the future of the nation’s workforce.

Judicial Reforms and Ongoing Challenges

Albania has sun and beauty, but it is not a perfect place. Corruption remains a problem, and drug trafficking also continues to affect the country. Rama has implemented judicial reforms, but the deeper issues are far from resolved. As a result, Albania’s future is still uncertain, despite some progress in governance and the economy.

The EPC Summit: A Milestone for Albania’s International Influence

On Friday, Dutch PM Dick Schoof will visit Albania to attend the EPC Summit, which will be joined by over 40 other leaders. This summit was launched by French President Macron to unite both EU and non-EU countries, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, the summit is an important opportunity for political dialogue and strengthening relationships. Rama will warmly welcome the leaders. However, he cannot control the weather, with rain and 16°C temperatures expected. Despite this, the discussions will continue, and the summit will go on as planned.

/a.c/